By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE Federal Bureau of Investigation has formally dismissed claims made in a viral YouTube video in which a woman claims to be Faloma Luhk, one of two sisters who disappeared from Saipan in 2011.
In a statement issued Thursday, FBI-Honolulu spokesperson Sarah Rice said the bureau “is aware of the recent reports and social media claims regarding a person alleging to be Faloma Luhk.”
“Following thorough investigation,” Rice said, “the FBI can confirm that these claims are entirely false. The individual in question is not Faloma Luhk.”
The video, posted by Real Right and Uncut, shows a woman behaving erratically during an interview in a car while claiming she is Faloma. At one point, she says, “I’ve been missing.”
Law enforcement sources have identified the woman as Mia Ayers, 25, who has a criminal record in the United States, including alleged offenses involving armed robbery and possession or receipt of stolen property.
Faloma was 10 years old and her sister, Maleina, was 9 when they were last seen at a bus stop near their home in As Teo on May 25, 2011. Their disappearance prompted one of the largest search operations in CNMI history, involving local police, federal agents, and hundreds of community volunteers. Despite weeks of coordinated searches, the girls were never found.
Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds forwarded the video to the FBI for review, noting the community’s deep emotional connection to the case.
The FBI said official updates will only be issued when new information has been confirmed through investigative processes.
A reward of up to $25,000 remains available for information leading to the sisters’ whereabouts.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI Honolulu Field Office at (808) 673-2896, the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov/. Individuals may also contact their local FBI office or the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
